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Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust

Latest news

Recent projects

  • Latest news

    27 Aug 2026

    LiDAR, UAV and GIS used for Slope Stability Assessment

    Geoff Davis has recently been working on another coastal caravan site with slope stability problems.On this site, Lewis Brown Chartered Land Surveyors used remote sensing (LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)) from a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) to help understand the locations and magnitude of ground movements.Ruddlesden geotechnical then used GIS (Geographic Information System)  to highlight areas of concern, to quantify the degree of movement, which might have otherwise been missed.These technologies have been great in helping us understand the landslide processes at this site and, equally importantly, convey to others what is happening. However, they are of little use without a detailed understanding of the geological and geomorphological processes, which inform the all-important ground model, i.e. they should be seen as a useful tool to help us understand and communicate landslide processes, rather than a replacement for the understanding of them.

    LiDAR, UAV and GIS used for Slope Stability Assessment
    LiDAR, UAV and GIS used for Slope Stability Assessment

  • Recent projects

    Close Liaison with Local Authority and NHBC Saves Time and Money

    Ruddlesden geotechnical often liaise with the local authority’s environmental health officer (EHO) and, in some instances, the petroleum officer to gain additional background information about a site. The local authority often have additional information or insight as a result of previous developments within the same area. Ruddlesden geotechnical held favourable discussions with both the EHO and warranty provider (NHBC) regarding the risk of ground gases (carbon dioxide and methane) to a proposed residential development site in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Initially, the warranty provider felt that in-situ ground gas monitoring was required to ascertain the risk of gases migrating from a nearby landfill site to beneath the site. However, following joint discussions with the EHO, it transpired that historical ground gas monitoring, both on and off the landfill, had shown that the landfill had a relatively low ground gas generation potential and so was unlikely to significantly affect the site. It was agreed that in lieu of in-situ monitoring, nominal ground gas protective measures, akin to full radon protective measures (a gas proof membrane and subfloor ventilation), could be adopted. On this occasion, this pragmatic approach saved the developer significant time and money.

  • Recent projects

    Multiple Ground Investigation Techniques on Site in Cornwall

    A combination of trial pits and dynamic sampling (windowless sample boreholes)with in-situ and laboratory testing has been undertaken as part of an ongoing ground investigation for a large residential development on the outskirts of Newquay, in Cornwall. The trial pits have allowed in-situ soakaway testing to be undertaken in accordance with BRE DG 365, to provide information for surface water drainage design. The boreholes have allowed in-situ standard penetration testing (SPTs) to be carried out, to provide information for foundation and retaining wall design. The boreholes have also been used to install monitoring wells for long-term gas monitoring. Both the trial pits and boreholes have been used to obtain representative samples for both contamination and geotechnical assessment purposes, which has included earthworks testing for the re-use of site-won soils. Ruddlesden geotechnical’s knowledge of the ground conditions on this site has enabled the most suitable and cost-effective method of investigation to be used.

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